Stress Management Journal

Are you looking for the latest in stress management? Then perhaps you should be looking for the latest issue of a stress management journal published by group of experts like the American Psychological Association. Rightly so, APA has the most extensive literature on stress management as well as other related studies on stress.

The International Journal of Stress Management, which is one of the APA journals, is an avenue for scholars in stress management to publish their most recent work regarding the topic. These articles before they are published in this stress management journal are reviewed by peers to see to it the authors follow the guidelines set by the organizations and at the same time to weight the merit of the articles if it deserves a space in the journal. Scholars and researchers alike can submit empirical, historical, theoretical and review articles. Book reviews as well as editorial are welcomed.

The topic can be anything under the areas of trauma and stress assessment, which could include specific topics in emotional, cognitive, physiological, and behavioral); stress management with reference to applications for the organizational or personal level; issues on stress treatment; and trauma and stress management. This stress management journal is officially recognized as the journal of International Stress Management Association.

Other stress management is the one that is written by an ordinary person. Yes, you heard it right. Anyone can actually make his or her stress management journal. This one needs no publication standards and refereeing. This is a simple collection of your thoughts and feelings that have you caused you to experience stress. Unlike the scholarly journal, this one is like a diary where you can unload your long pent-up emotions that have been bothering you fro so long.

It has been scientifically proven that regular journaling of activities especially those that you consider to be stressful can actually help alleviate its negative effects. Making a journal can provide you self-knowledge on the common patterns of events that can give you stress. When these sources are recognized, it would be the first step on finding the right coping mechanisms. The activity itself is one way of coping with stress because it provides you opportunities to pour-out your feelings without having to worry of possible criticisms. Writing a journal can help you explore your inner thoughts, thus also making you aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.

Your journal need not be expensive because a plain notebook will do just fine. If you have a computer then you can make use of the available technology thus saving you from the worry about penmanship. Making it a habit or writing a journal will guarantee a less stressful life waits you.

Stress Management Plan for Teachers

Teaching is usually considered to be among the most stressful jobs.  Teacher stress have caused a lot of early retirements due to ill health, lengthy absences because of extended illness, and new teachers “exiting” during either training or in five years after taking up post; these factors have been significantly increasing among teachers.

For teachers, stress is a “normal” part of everyday life; however, if these stresses are left unmanaged, it will weaken their effectiveness in teaching, as well as hinder appropriate productivity for their students.  Fortunately, there is a stress management plan for teachers for them to properly manage stress.

A stress management plan for teachers usually involves several steps to carefully follow and apply to their daily dealings with stress.  Here are some steps for a successful stress management plan for teachers:

Be familiar with the signs of stress
A teacher should monitor themselves for stress symptoms such as:  not sleeping, getting sick a lot, feeling nervous every time, eating less or more than usual, always tired, forgetting important things, thinking about parting with the teaching professions, and no longer enjoying daily activities.  If these stress symptoms have taken over, then it is time to make a move.

Recognize the key stressors
An important step in stress management plan for teachers is identifying the main sources of one’s stress.  These sources may be situational, mental/emotional, or behavioral.  Take notice to your “stress load” in the next several days or weeks; keep a journal to record the reaction to particular events.  Evaluate the results, search for patterns, and spot the major sources of your “life stress”.  Then, make an objective plan to alleviate or shun from these stressors.

Talk to co-teachers
A frequent cause of “professional stress” is social isolation; teachers should discuss things over among their colleagues.  Questions like how they deal with classroom issues or what techniques of managing stress works for them are casual conversations that will help cope with stress.

Plan in advance to prevent feeling rushed
Time management is very essential in stress management; developing weekly schedules for teaching, meetings, gradings, and other tasks will help a lot in reducing stress.

Practice daily “stress management skills”
Get a lot of rest, exercise, eat well, reduce the intake of caffeine, take pleasure in a favorite hobby regularly, and keep that sense of humor.

These are just some steps of stress management plan for teachers that will help teachers get through difficult periods in the teaching arena.  Always keep in mind to take it one day at a time, and plan for “self reward” when the “crunch” has ended –get that soothing massage or that special dinner out.